Government lacks ‘green’ credibility

By Chen Hsin-fu 陳信甫

The plot of ground bordering Wunhua First Road (文化一路) and Renai Road (仁愛路) covers five hectares in total. According to existing regulations governing urban planning, building coverage should not exceed 60 percent.

This means that more than two hectares of the plot in Linkou should be set aside,which is just the size of the central area of the Linkou Yebu Forest. Therefore, the athletes’ village can be constructed creatively in a way to meet the requirements of the Building Act (建築法), preserving the forest’s ecological heart.

Let us hope that those concerned will think long and hard about this. If they want to build “diamond-class buildings” whilst avoiding the blame for ruining an existing ecosystem, they should make the best of both worlds by preserving the Linkou Yebu Forest. Such a decision would set a worthy precedent in a world where ecological considerations come increasingly to the fore.